Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are back and are increasingly more prevalent in homes across America with new cases having increased 500% over the last few years. These blood sucking parasites, which grow up to ¼" in length and feed on warm blooded animals, have made their way to the U.S through the suitcases and clothing of travelers abroad. Even if you don't travel overseas, you may still bring bed bugs home after being in contact with someone who did or by staying in a hotel, airplane, cruise ship or shelter infested with bed bugs. Having gone from a bed time rhyme to a reality, it seems as if these pests are here to stay more information
Bed bugs are immune to many of the pesticides used today, which is why using the right treatment is crucial to your success. As you read on, we’ll explain in detail how to rid your home of bed bugs using treatment methods that can be done yourself.
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Mattress Encasements
Bed bugs and their eggs are most likely located in or on your mattress, box spring and pillows, which is why Bed Bug Encasements should be applied first. Our bed bug proof mattress encasements from Luna Mattress Protectors can be used effectively to prevent bed bugs from entering or escaping read more
Climbup™ Insect Interceptors
With your mattress set now elevated, covered and free from bed bugs, it’s now time to add Climbup interceptors to each point of ‘your bed making contact with the floor. Our Climbup Interceptors prevent bed bugs from climbing into your mattress so it’s nearly impossible for them to get to you read more
PackTite and Bed Bug Steamer
In order to kill the bed bugs in your room everything needs to be thoroughly cleaned. Cleaning should include inside book shelves, books, cabinets, night stands etc. Everything should be thoroughly cleaned inside and out. This might also be a good time to go through your closet to read more
Bed Bug Powder And Spray
With the bed now cleaned, covered, elevated, intercepted and the room cleaned thoroughly, its time to apply the residual bed bug spray and bed bug powder.
Use our J.T. Eaton, Phantom or Bedlam Bed Bug Spray on your floor boards, baseboards and headboards to kill bedbugs and their eggs read more
Prevention Steps to Prevent Bed Bug Infestations
Bed bugs are easily transmitted from location to location by attaching themselves to materials that move. This includes luggage, you, your clothing and boxes. There are, however, ways to decrease your chances of bringing home a bed bug.
Many of today’s infestations originate from exposure to infested airplanes, hotels, cruise ships, apartments and work areas. Once infestations reach one dwelling or apartment they often migrate to others. Below are some suggestions on how to reduce your chances of becoming a bed bug host.
Keep your belongings enclosed while traveling Our Hefty Big Bags prevent bed bugs from entering your clothing where they can hide until you return home. Simply place your belongings into the enclosure before you depart on a trip and only open the enclosure to remove items that you need. Our Hefty Big Bags protect your belongings while being transported on airplanes, cruise ships and while staying in hotels. To protect your luggage, simply spray our Bed Bug Luggage Spray along the zippers and into the pockets of your suitcases.
Encase your pillows, mattress and box spring Applying bed bug mattress encasements to your bedding not only helps treat bed bug infestations, but also helps to prevent bed bugs from infesting your mattress in the first place. Bed bugs are great at nesting deep inside a mattress where they are very difficult to treat. A bed bug encasement prevents bed bugs from ever penetrating your mattress making treatment of possible infestations much easier. Bed bug encasements are also waterproof and stain proof, which protects your mattresses factory warranty
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Symptoms of Bed Bugs
Many people with bed bug infestations are completely unaware that their home has these uninvited guests. This is because bed bugs are nocturnal nesting parasites in that they emerge 1-2 hours before dawn, feed for 5-15 minutes and then return back to their hiding place. Please see our “What Are Bed Bugs" section for additional information about bed bugs.
Due to the fact that bed bugs are great at hiding, many cases rely on investigating your bedroom for signs of these blood sucking insects. Most bed bugs reside within 10-15 feed of your bed, which makes that a good place to start looking. Below are some tell-tale indicators that you may have bed bugs.
Burning Bite Marks
Waking up in the morning with a row of red welts that burn and itch could be bed bugs. The burning and itching sensation can be reduced by running hot water over the infected area, using hydrocortisone or taking an antihistamine.
Blood Stains on Sheets and Furniture
Bed bugs often expel some of their blood meal, which is a great indicator that bed bugs may be present. This could be found anywhere on your sheets, on the walls, curtains, carpeting, etc.
Black Feces Droppings
Feces droppings are always left behind by bed bugs, which look little black or brown large grains of salt. This can be found in places where bed bugs like to hide including by the seams of a mattress, between the box spring and mattress and even on your sheets.
Bed Bug Skins
Bed bugs shed or molt their waxy skins as they move through the five stages of development. This clear skin with a tint of brown can be easily seen by the naked eye. This is another great indicator of bed bugs.
Visually Identifying Actual Bed Bugs
Knowing what bed bugs look like can help diagnose a bed bug infestations. Please see our bed bug picture to the left.
How Bed Bugs Re-Emerged After Being Mostly Eradicated For Over 50 Years
Bed bugs are nothing new dating back to biblical times and before. Prior to World War II, bed bugs were prevalent in many homes across America leading to the bed time rhyme “Don’t Let The Bed Bugs Bit.” Many of us have heard this rhyme hundreds of times without ever knowing exactly what bed bugs really were.
In 1874, a very effective insecticide called DDT was first synthesized and was believed at the time to be the miracle formula against many insects such as mosquitoes, roaches and fleas. DDT was marketed as safe for humans and quickly distributed to households where it was used loosely against anything that crawled read more
Bed bug can ingest up to 7 times their weight
Bed bugs are able to live up to 18 months without a meal
A severe infestation can result in over 500 bites in a single night
Bed bugs are immune to many of today’s insecticides
Many people live with bed bugs without even knowing they’re there.
Bed bug eggs hatch within 2 weeks and only take 4 weeks to become fully grown
New York has the most reported cases of bed bugs this year
Reported cases of bed bugs have increased over 500% the past few years
Bed bug infestations are a traumatic experience for those attacked including increased stress, anxiety and insomnia.
Female bed bugs can lay up to 500 eggs over their lifetime.
